Police: Men face hate crime after 3 teens pepper sprayed

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – Police say three white men in Florida are facing charges, accused of screaming racial slurs at three teens on bikes who were then pepper sprayed.

Pinellas Park police Sgt. Mike Lynch said in a statement that Peter-Austin Afentakis and Corey Knous, both 19, and 18-year-old John Schmidt were arrested Thursday.

Police say Schmidt spotted two black teens, ages 13 and 15, and a 14-year-old white teen. He says an argument began between the two groups and Schmidt got out of a car and pepper sprayed all three in their faces and torsos.

Authorities say child abuse charges are being submitted to the State Attorney's Office with a hate crime enhancement.

Afentakis was released from jail, and the others remained there Friday morning.